Wanted pros thoughts on PPE? firewood hacks want to know

[CoreyB]

Hey guys I wanted to hear your thoughts on what ppe. What do you think is worth while and why. also what is not worth the investment.
I have purchased some ppe and some things I like some I look to replace right away.
Chaps vs pants?
Chainsaw gloves or other gloves?
Helmet
I really like a helmet with the face shield and ear protection all in one. Just would like to find a little more comfortable one.
Chaps I have cover well but also get snagged by brush and other stuff as well as basically have to take them off to pee.


Gloves I dislike the Husqvarna chainsaw gloves. They left hand ends up trying to push of my the fingers.
I do like the Echo Kevlar gloves but are not safty rated so really doubt they would actually do much for stopping a serious injury. However the dexterity and fit is very nice and are comfortable over a fairly wide range. Please share your experience and opinions I am sure many would like to make the wise decision the first time because frankly this gear is expensive.

 

[hseII]

I'd probably buy a pair from the original manufacturer: who makes the pants?

 

[Marshy]

Seems excessive for just firewood IMO. Most people don't even wear chaps. I like my half wrap chaps myself but I've never wore chainsaw pants. Don't overlook your feet, get some good chainsaw boots. Just leather gloves are good enough for me. If it's warm it I don't wear any. When falling, the hat with the integrated face shield and ear muffs would be nice. I use a normal hard hat, glasses, and ear plugs. If I'm just bucking on a pile of logs then I'll pass on the hard hat especially when it's hot out.

 

[CoreyB]

I'd probably buy a pair from the original manufacturer: who makes the pants?

The husqvarna pants in the video ? Those don't say the original manufacturer just that they are made in Mexico. Boo. I did wear them all day and they really are comfortable and unobtrusive. My dolmar chaps come are made in China. I can't remember the manufacturer but it is on them.

 

[Cigmaker]

One of my best buddies is a logger he doesn't wear *s-word for protection. Just saying don't look to the "pro's" for safety gear. I've seen many logging outfits in my area and no one has ppe or saws that cut or run worth a damn. They use a saw only when a tree is to big for the buncher not everyday least round here.

 

[hseII]

The husqvarna pants in the video ? Those don't say the original manufacturer just that they are made in Mexico. Boo. I did wear them all day and they really are comfortable and unobtrusive. My dolmar chaps come are made in China. I can't remember the manufacturer but it is on them.

Yes.

 

[jake wells]

i don't ware PPE
i want to cut my leg off so i don't have to cut firewood.

 

[Wilhelm]

My sister once wanted to buy me chainsaw safety pants seeing that I don't use any - I thanked her and told her not to.

90% of my chainsaw usage consists of bucking firewood logs piled up in my back yard, the rest is bush clearance and taking out a orchard tree or the occasional fir which are all more or less free standing on my property.

I can not say that I am prod of it, but I basically don't use chainsaw specific PPE.

I use/wear:
- regular two part cotton work clothes, sometimes a overall
- leather work shoes, usually ones that have a steel toe cap, but on a planned long work day I will opt for the more comfortable ones that don't have a steel toe cap
- leather work gloves
- wire mesh face shield if the conditions call for it (bush clearance, wind gusts while bucking, limbing a standing tree)

I do not use nor own a safety hat.
I have ear mufflers and lots of ear plugs, but I can't stand them while using my saws because it makes me feel less aware of my surrounding.

I know that using PPE is something that One has to get used to and once One does it becomes a habit.
At work I can wear safety glasses and mufflers or plugs all day long, but there it is stationary machine work and a lot of noise that isn't originating form me thus it feels more acceptable/bearable/necessary.

 

[T.Roller]

I got a pair of chaps about 6 years ago. Wore them maybe three times and gave them away. A bit overkill to me.

 

[Deets066]

I like wearing chaps if I'm gunna be cuttin in the woods for a while. Lots of briers and thorn bushes around here and you plow right through em with the chaps on. Bucking wood that's under tension it's a good idea anyway to wear em.

If I'm just cutting fire wood then I usually don't wear much ppe, logs are held up by a machine, don't get much easier cuttin

 

[jmester]

I know a lot of arborist are going to using chainsaw pants. A lot of them are lite weight material for mobility. I wear chap liners that snap into blue jeans (west coast thing) chaps are great if you are cutting at the wood pile but in the bush they are always getting hung up on something. I found it was more dangerous for the risk of falling down and get wrecked out from the chaps getting hung on something. If I was just a firewood guy I would look into chainsaw pants as they will last along time and you have good mobility. Gloves I don't wear unless it is cold. Wear a full brim skull bucket. Saftey sunglasses and ear plugs. At least wear something your saw maybe super sharp cutting wood but it is hard for the doctor to fix hamburger. Sorry so long.

 

[Nitehawk55]

I like wearing wrap around chaps , keep my boots from filling up with chips

 

[Warped5]

If you're running a saw, somehow some way something will eventually 'happen'.

$90 for chaps is a hell of a lot less expensive than a hospital bill.

Labonville FTW.

 

[Rob Stafari]

Safety glasses, muffs, chaps, and hard hat depending on the situation. Now the tree service folks I've been hanging out with... lucky to see them with safety glasses on. People have laughed at me when I get all geared up, I just shake my head and hope I never have to have the I told you so talk with them. Me personally, I wouldn't want to walk into any battle without potentially life saving, or wallet saving body armor. Its not me wielding the saw that scares me, it the unforeseen that can pop up out of no where and get you.

 

[Deets066]

I like the wrap around chaps, I wore them in the woods for 9 hours yesterday and didn't really seem to get hung up much

 

[Armbru84]

I keep trying out gloves that are safety rates but haven't found a pair I really like. I normally cut in steel toed boots, jeans, gloves, some ear protection that plays the radio as well, and long sleeves. I have some saw pants and plan to start wearing them this year.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

What's the sizing like on that Husqy gear? The website only lists S, M, L, etc.

Also, I found the pants and the jacket, but not the shirt. Can't tell if the jacket is protective in any way.

 

[CoreyB]

What's the sizing like on that Husqy gear? The website only lists S, M, L, etc.

Also, I found the pants and the jacket, but not the shirt. Can't tell if the jacket is protective in any way.

I have only seen the 2xl. But they run very close being more favorable to us barrel belly guys. They also have good adjustability .
The shirts run a bit small/ tight fitting but still long enough to not cause a drafty situation.
The jacket doesn't have any chainsaw protection but is made of the same material of the pants.
I expected for the price that the jacket would of had some protection at least in the shoulder/ chest. But nope nodda ,Nothing . Fit and finish is nice

 

[exSW]

I started wearing chaps three-four years ago. The cheap ones wear out quick. The only knock I have on them is getting on and off equipment,they catch on levers and stuff. I'll wear a derby if I'm falling,hate the muffs prefer earplugs the face shield is nice in some instances.

 

[CoreyB]

I think I will stock the wrap around chaps at work as an option over the apron chaps. Sounds like guys are a little happier with them. I understand that ppe is not for everyone I just want to know what works best and be able to share that knowledge.